Outbreak investigation and response training in Somalia - video in YouTube
1 February, 2011 ¦ Nairobi - Communicable diseases, including diarrheal disease and measles, are a major cause of death in emergencies, such as Somalia. Poor access to health care, insecurity, malnutrition and lack of medical supplies contribute to the high risks of outbreaks.
Acute watery diarrhea and vaccine preventable diseases are endemic in Somalia, with sporadic and seasonal outbreaks every year. In March 2010, two cholera outbreaks were confirmed in Mogadishu (Banadir region) and Merka (Lower Shabelle region), counting for a total of more than 3000 cases, 4 in 5 being children. Both outbreaks were declared under control at the end of August 2010.
To be able to detect and respond to outbreaks when they occur, health workers must be able to report the number of cases of disease that they treat in an accurate and timely manner. Scaling up the awareness on outbreak investigation and response is therefore key.
Out of 6 trainings on outbreak investigation and response, WHO Somalia, with support from the Humanitarian Response Fund, conducted from 29th of November till 6th of December 2010 two trainings at the Banadir University in Mogadishu. Attended by over 70 health workers coming from regions most prone to outbreaks, all trainings aim to strengthen the coordination of outbreak response activities.
WHO and health cluster partners are closely monitoring the trends of outbreaks across Somalia, including activities such as early detection and diagnosis of communicable disease outbreaks, pre‐positioning of supplies at strategic locations, timely deployment of trained health workers, and improved disease reporting.
Coordination and close partnership among agencies working at local, national and international levels is key for rapid and effective response to outbreaks. WHO works closely with other clusters, especially water and sanitation, to monitor the quality of water in affected areas.
Contacts:
Pieter Desloovere
Communications Officer
WHO Somalia Nairobi, Kenya
Mobile: +254 733 410 984
Email: deslooverep@nbo.emro.who.int
Dr Antony Angaluki
Epidemiologist
WHO Somalia Nairobi, Kenya
Mobile: +254 724 596 413
Email: angalukia@nbo.emro.who.int